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" The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated "
Mohandas Gandhi

Celebrities

Natalie Portman, an activist

Natalie Portman’s acclaims and awards could fill up a page,
but most people remember her for winning a Best Actress Academy Award for her
moving role in Black Swan. Some may even recall her less acclaimed role in a
Star Wars movie when she gave birth to Luke and Leia.

What you may not know about her is that she supported nature and animal
advocacy since childhood when she became a vegetarian and joined World Patrol
Kids, a song and dance troupe that focused on environmental causes. Her 2012 wedding was actually catered with an all-vegan menu. Though Ms.
Portman decided to become a vegetarian when she was only eight years old, she
did not become a true vegan activist until many years later.

A Vegetarian Child

Natalie Portman says that she attended a medical conference with her father,
an infertility specialist. During the conference, she watched a chicken
dissection, and that was the first time that she truly realized that animals
had to get killed in order to produce meat. She believes that before this
revelation, she had a childish notion that animals just conveniently died
before people ate them. In sixth grade, a fish dissection led her to stop
eating fish too. Her parents supported her decision even though they did not
become vegetarians.

Later, she abstained from some cheese and commercial gelatin because she
realized that they also contained products from dead animals. For example, some
cheese uses rennet, an enzyme from cow’s stomachs. Common gelatin brands use
products harvested from animal’s bones and connective tissues. However, during
her youth, she still consumed eggs and many dairy products.

A Vegan
Activist

According to Natalie Portman’s 2010 article in the Huffington Post, she
converted to true veganism after reading Eating Animals by Jonathon
Safran Foer. She says that Foer’s book opened her eyes to both the cruel
mistreatment of animals and the human cost involved in modern factory farming.
Foer is most often quoted for saying that he teaches his children to never eat
anything that had parents.

Ms. Portman says that some of the human cost of modern factory farming
includes introducing antibiotics into the food supply that causes
antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans, animal waste that makes it into the
water and atmosphere, and poor working conditions for slaughterhouse employees.
If, as factory farming supporters contend, the only way to produce enough meat
to feed the population is with these methods, both Natalie Portman and Jonathon
Safran Foer say that they would prefer to just abstain and hope others do too.

Natalie Portman did consume eggs and dairy when she was pregnant, mostly
because of cravings, but she returned to veganism after her baby’s healthy
birth. Although her temporary fall off the vegan wagon generated some
criticism, she also earned respect because she was totally open about it. This
actress who wants to celebrate humanity is, after all, very human.

Vegan Shoes

Not only does Natalie Portman abstain from eating any animal products, she
also refuses to wear them. She even launched her own line of glamorous vegan
shoes to provide an alternative to stylish leather or pigskin footwear. These
shoes were rather pricey, at about $200 a pair, but 15% of sales went to the
Nature Conservancy, an environmental protection organization.

Even though Natalie Portman’s shoe line did not thrive, her celebrity helped
draw attention to vegan clothing and made it a credible choice for picky
consumers. The attention she garnered for her own products probably helped
other companies to produce environmentally and socially conscious products.

Source: Envirozine.org

Hilary Swank saves stray dogs

The Oscar-winning actress visited the Romanian capital, Bucharest, which has 35,000 stray dogs.

Hilary, who rarely leaves home without Kai, a devoted Jack Russell stray she rescued in Los Angeles, says street dogs can help disadvantaged people.

"I believe that is so healing to these kids who don't trust people any more," she said.

"The unconditional love of an animal is very healing and teaches them about not just unconditional love but about a relationship, about responsibility, about anger management."

The stray dogs have sparked fierce debate - some believe they should be put down, others advocate putting the dogs in shelters or sterilisation.

Hilary said she is starting a US charity called Hilaroo to bring needy children and animals together. The charity combines her name and that of her late dog, Karoo.

'I've seen first-hand how it changes the path of the soul, for the animal and for the child," she said.

The Hilaroo Foundation, Swank’s own charity connects underprivileged youth and abandoned animals. The Hilaroo Foundation was founded in 2012, but Swank has a long resume of animal welfare work. Hilary Swank was one of the celebrity supporters at Animal Fair magazine’s launch party in 1999. It was also the very first pet fashion show of it’s kind, titled Paws For Style, where canines, celebrities and designers walked the runway for an animal charity, benefiting The Humane Society of New York. Having once lived out of her car for a few weeks, Swank understands how far a little compassion can go. She was also there when her country was reeling. After 9/11, Swank teamed up with the Humane Society of New York to help rescue lost and trapped animals. What makes this even more remarkable is the fact that the A-Lister did all of this under anonymity, choosing not to use her celebrity for special treatment.

Hilary Swank with Runi and the late Karoo, that inspired Hilaroo.

“When the 9/11 attack occurred at the World Trade Center, Hilary asked if there was anything she could do to help the animals near ground zero. We told her about Lola, a poodle who had been trapped alone in an apartment for four days. Hilary made her way past many obstacles and up 31 flights of stairs so that Lola could be reunited with her most grateful guardians. The Humane Society of New York will never forget how helpful, kind and brave she was during that difficult time,” says Sandra DeFeo, co-executive director of the organization.

Swank’s biggest reward was simply seeing a family reunited. “It was really incredible to walk up with someone’s beloved family member and to hear them screaming, calling the dog’s name and seeing the tail wagging,” the A-Lister said with a smile.

But her charity work isn’t the only way Hilary Swank cares for animals. She has long been a devoted animal lover and is the proud mommy to two rescued pooches, Beagle-terrier cross Kai and Golden Retriever mix Rumi. Swank told Animal Fair about Karoo, her Corgi/Jack Russell mix, who passed away in 2012, and Rumi who had been known to cause a little mischief every now and then, on set. “If I can’t find Karoo and Rumi on set or if I can’t find them in my trailer, I know they’re at the craft service table,” the actress said.

Hilary was recognized as an advocate for animals by respected organization Petco Foundation.

Source: AnimalfairNovember 2014

Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon

- dying of cancer, give away fortune to animal-rights causes

Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon has described his terminal colon cancer as the 'most amazing experience of my life', because he is surrounded by his loved ones and donating his estimated $100 million fortune to his passion - animal rights.

Given three months to live in 2012, Simon immediately decided to team up with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) president Ingrid Newkirk, and dedicate his time to the rescue of maltreated animals and conservation.

Having defied that diagnosis’ original death sentence, Simon continues to push ahead and has also funded projects such as 'Feeding Families' to help with the underprivileged in inner cities.

And now, as he enters the twilight of his life, has declared himself never happier and finally at peace.

Sam Simon is using his fortune to help shut down roadside zoos and abusive animal shows, fund a dog-rescue haven in Malibu, and fight hunger

However, Simon did not shrink from the realities of his condition, nor fail to inject some trademark humor.

'Cancer is a horrible disease. I am struggling with it,' said Simon to NBC.

'Its everything that everybody always tells you. It's a journey, it's a fight. But, if you want publicity and you want to pick up girls, then cancer is the greatest thing in the world.'

Simon has no children and is not married so he wants to give his millions to causes he cares about. He was married to actress Jennifer Tilly in the 1980s but divorced in 1991 though they remain close.

Having already lived almost one year longer than doctors initially gave him, Simon told Maria Shriver that amazingly, his happiness was a direct result of his cancer diagnosis.

'Somehow I ended up surrounded by people who love me and take care of me and will do anything for me. That is called happiness. I think I may have had a problem letting it in before.

'Cancer has been a fight, a journey, an adventure and the most amazing experience of my life.'

Simon, 58, is spending his final months funding projects that feed homeless people and save animals from being killed in animal shelters.

'I have used my money along with Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of PETA,' said Simon to NBC.

'She came up with almost a therapy for me, where we planned and are still planning a series of animal liberations and actions that I get to participate in and enjoy.

'It gives me something to look forward.'

'I get to watch these animals that have been in concrete bunkers their whole lives take their first step on grass.'

Source: Daily Mail & Telegraph9 September 2014

Robert Williams - The Man behind the Actor

A great Actor and Human Being, Robin Williams was gifted with an incredible energy that he used to help many causes. Robert Williams devoted part of himself to Charity.

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”

In 1986, he teamed up with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal to found Comic Relief USA, an annual HBO television benefit devoted to the homeless. Williams made benefit appearances to support literacy and women's rights, along with appearing at benefits for veterans. He was a regular on the USO circuit, where he traveled to thirteen countries and performed to approximately 100,000 troops.

Williams and his second wife, Marsha, founded the Windfall Foundation, a philanthropic organization to raise money for many charities. In December 1999, he sang in French on the BBC-inspired music video of international celebrities doing a cover of The Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" for the charity Children's Promise.

In response to the 2010 Canterbury earthquake, Williams donated all proceeds of his "Weapons of Self Destruction" Christchurch performance to help rebuild the New Zealand city. Half the proceeds were donated to the Red Cross and half to the mayoral building fund.

Williams performed with the USO for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan and also supported St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for several years.

Eva Mendes Speak Out Against Fur

Eva Mendes is one of Hollywood’s sexiest leading ladies, a regular red-carpet knockout, Eva is courted by all the top designers, but you can rest assured that she will never show up to any event draped in fur. In fact, she’d rather gonaked than wear fur of any kind!

In her interview with PETA, Eva says, “I want people to know that there are options—that killing a poor animal and wearing it isn’t cool … respecting all life forms is cool.” We couldn’t have said it better!

Like most people, Eva wasn’t always aware of the cruelty of the fur trade. She told PETA, “I remember having my first premiere in New York City and being so naïve that I didn’t have a coat with me. My stylist sent me a … fur wrap for the evening, and I ignorantly wore it. PETA then wrote me a beautiful letter commenting on my less-than-educated choice. I was so impressed that I vowed to them and myself to NEVER wear real fur on the red carpet or in my life again.”

As Eva knows, the fur trade is a violent, bloody industry that has no place in fashion. On fur farms in China fur farms in China, where most fur originates, minks, foxes, rabbits, and other animals are kept in tiny wire cages in all weather extremes. They are strangled, bludgeoned, and often skinned while they are still alive. Since fur is often deliberately mislabeled, if you wear fur, there’s no way to tell whose skin you’re in—it could even be cat or dog fur.

Sandra Bullock: Big-Hearted Dog Lover

Affectionately
known as 'America's Sweetheart', Oscar winner Sandra Bullockis also known to be a big-hearted dog
lover.

Sandra has
adopted three very special needs pets.Poppyis a three-legged
Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix,Rubyis an amazing two-legged
Chihuahua who walks on her hind legs, and it is reported a third dog,BeBe, also a Chihuahua, is missing an
eye.Poppy, who
lost a leg in an accident, was adopted from a Southern California shelter in
September 2005, and Ruby, born with only two legs, was adopted in November
2006. BeBe came from Best BuddiesRescueof Long Beach.It is said that Sandra frets her beloved pets could be hurt in a traffic
accident after her car was struck by a drunk driver in April 2008. That scary
experience, and a plane disaster in which she lost her entire pet family, has
influenced Sandra's concern for her pets' safety. A friend told Star magazine,
"More than 10 years ago, all her dogs died when they rode cargo on an
airplane. She was devastated and vowed never to let anything bad happen to her
pets again."

Among the accommodations Sandra has made to help her beloved dogs are a
special wheelchair for two-legged Ruby, reflective safety vests, and custom
seatbelts in her car to keep the pups safe while traveling."Any dog that is missing something is welcome in our house,"
Sandra said from Austin, TX, in happier days before her recent marriage
meltdown. "If we can't handle them, we find them a home. But they seem to
find us."

Special
needs dogs, like Poppy, Ruby and BeBe, are the most difficult to place in
adoptive homes and are often candidates for euthanasia, so it's heart-warming
to hear about people like Sandra who welcome these less-than-perfect pups into
their lives.

Source: www.examiner.com

16 of December of 2013

In the arms of an Angel: Sarah McLachlan

You Might Know Her From: A founder
of the Lilith Fair music festival, she's the woman behind hit singles like
"I Will Remember You" and "Building a Mystery."

How She Helps Animals: Animals are near and dear to
McLachlan's heart — she has been an active supporter of the ASPCA. The singer's
commercial,
which features her hit song "Angel," has helped raise more than $30
million for the organization since 2007.

Thank you Sarah!Way to Go!

25 of September of 2013

Peta's Sexiest Vegetarian

Celebrities of 2013

One hundred celebrities were nominated, but only one earned
the title of Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity of 2013. And the winner is … Kristen
Bell!

Winner was chosen by PETA based on several factors,
including vote count.

2013
has proved to be a big year for power couple Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. Not
only did they welcome their first child in March, daughter Lincoln Shepard, now
the stunning Kristen has also been named the Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity of
2013!

"I had a hard time disassociating the animals I cuddled
with—dogs and cats, for example—from the animals on my plate, and I never
really cared for the taste of meat. I always loved my Brussels sprouts!"
says Kristen, who, after being vegetarian for many years, eventually went
vegan.

She's not the only new mother to make the list and show the
world that a vegan diet is as easy on the body as it is on the eyes. Vegan moms
Jenna Dewan Tatum and Tia Mowry were also nominees in this year's contest.
Politicians scored big, too, with former President Bill Clinton and Newark, New
Jersey, Mayor Cory Booker both racking up votes. And today it seems as if you
can't see a top film or TV show that doesn't star one of our sexy vegetarian
nominees—Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck, Rooney
Mara, Edie Falco, and Peter Dinklage (and too many others to mention!) scored
big with voters, too.

Pamela Anderson: Long Time PETA Activist

In the ad Anderson's nearly naked body, clad in just a teeny tiny bikini, is covered in paint markings that mimic a butcher's diagram.

Her flesh is marked 'breast', 'ribs' and 'rump' and the caption reads 'All animals have the same parts. Have a heart, go vegetarian.'

Anderson is a long time PETA activist and spokesperson, having appeared in numerous campaigns over the years.She became a vegetarian in her teens after she saw her father cleaning out an animal he had hunted and killed.

Anderson regularly campaigns against fur, in 1999 she received the first Linda McCartney Memorial Award for animal rights protectors in recognition of her work.

She has also campaigned against fast food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken and against seal hunting in Canada.

In addition to her animal rights activism Anderson is also a spokes model for MAC Cosmetics MAC AIDS Fund, which helps people affected by AIDS and HIV.

1 of May of 2013

Brigitte Bardot speaks up for Seals

Actrisse and animal rights advocate Brigitte
Bardot is a dedicated activist, whosefoundation to
help animalshas tackled issues such asfur,horse slaughter,
and companion animal overpopulation. Brigitte was the first celebrity to stand
up for Canadian seals. Here, once again, she speaks out against the sinister
seal slaughter:

"When, in 2003, some politicians and talk-show hosts called for aboycottof French products because of my
country's politics against the war in Iraq, sales of French wine dropped by 26
percent in the United States in just a few days. This boycott may have cost
French winemakers $112 million because of lost sales overseas.

These massive ethical reactions
from consumers can sometimes convince a government or a corporation to change
the way that it does business. That is why I am supportingPETA's boycott of
Canadian maple syrupuntil
the Canadian government agrees to ban the slaughter of seals on the ice floes,
the largest massacre of marine mammals on Earth, forever.

Canadian law authorizes seal pups
to be legally killed as soon as they have lost their white baby fur, which
happens about two weeks after birth. On the ice floes, theseals are bludgeoned, and
some are skinned while still alive. Each spring, this vision of
horror returns: The ice floes become an open-air slaughterhouse, where some
pups are left in agony, their mothers trying desperately to revive their small
bloody bodies.

Canadian
officials are accomplices to these massacres and spend huge amounts of money to
support this dying industry, which is a stain on their reputation in the eyes
of the world.

This
is why we must act and make Canada understand that it would be criminal,
irresponsible, and economically suicidal to continue with the commercial seal
slaughter.

TheUnited Statesand theEuropean Unionhave banned seal products, but Canada
produces about 85 percent of the world's maple syrupâ€•the maple leaf is even
the symbol of this country.

As
French wine was the ideal product designated by Americans to protest France's
pacifist stance, maple syrup is the ideal product to boycott in order to
protest Canada's aggressive stance.

Refusing to buy maple syrup so as
to refuse to be an accomplice to the slaughter perpetrated on the ice floes can
send a strong message to Canadian officials. That's why I am asking you to join
PETA andboycott Canadian productsto let the leaders of this country
know that the seal slaughter is inhumane and disgraceful and that it represents
a threat to Canada's economy.

I've been leading this fight for
more than 33 years now, and I've already had some victoriesâ€•with you today,
we can win the final fight.I'm really counting on
you! "

Written
by Brigitte Bardot

source: PETA archives

27 of February of 2013

Jennifer Aniston: Dog's are a Girl's Best Friend

Jennifer Aniston and Norman

Jennifer Aniston couldn't be more right. Much like her character inMarley and Me Jennifer is a devoted guardian. Her four-legged love bugs, Norman and Dolly, are a constant presence on her movie sets and are often seen taking walks with her on the beach. Both rescues, Norman is a 15-year-old Welsh corgi-terrier mix, and Dolly is a creamy white 4-year-old German shepherd.

"Really, the most unconditional form of love that you can encounter is with a dog," the actor raves. "They're excited the minute you come home, and they show the same amount of excitement every day. They're loyal, and they're always, always faithful."

Jennifer Aniston has had her deceased dog’s name (Norman) tattoed on the inside of her right foot. Norman died at the age of 15 and Aniston confirmed that the tattoo was a tribute to her pooch while talking to James Lipton during a taping of “Inside the Actors Studio".

source: PETA

22 of January of 2013

Leonardo DiCaprio: Actor & Activist

Great Actor and Activist Leonardo DiCaprio might take a break from acting and devote himself more to activism.

On his official webpage: http://www.leonardodicaprio.com/ you can find all the news on Leonardo's films and his efforts to ensure a healthy future for humanity and the Planet. He is devoting his facebook page to the protection of whales, orcas, seals, and penguins. The actor asked for support for the Antarctic Ocean Alliance, which aims to create "the world's largest network of marine protected areas." His twitter page is also very targeted to animal and environmental defense.

On his website you can find the official information about Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation:

"DEDICATED TO PEOPLE, ANIMALS AND THE PLANET

Established in 1998 by Leonardo and his family, the Foundation supports efforts to secure a sustainable future for our planet and all of its inhabitants.

The Foundation works on a variety of environmental and humanitarian issues including Wildlife Protection, Forest Preservation, Healthy Oceans, Water Access, Renewable Energy, Disaster Relief and Climate Change.

LDF works towards this goal in the following ways:

- Providing grants to select organizations and projects in the field.

- Building partnerships with select organizations.

- Spearheading creative campaigns and media pieces that shift the way issues are communicated to the public.

- Utilizing social media for the causes we care about.

- Forming alliances with other influencers to effect change.

Leonardo currently serves on the board of the World Wildlife Fund, The Natural Resources Defense Council, International Fund for Animal Welfare

and Global Green USA.

Some of the projects spearheaded by the Foundation include the Save Tigers Now campaign, Leonardo's website and social media platforms and the 2007 feature length documentary The 11th Hour.

In early 2012, our new project with coffee roaster La Colombe was announced. Lyon is a special blend of directly sourced and sustainably grown coffees from the mountains of Haiti, Peru, Ethiopia and Brazil. 100% of the net proceeds benefit the causes LDF supports"

Congrats to Leonardo DiCaprio for his humanity and great achievements!

24 of October of 2012

"I am a musician and i am a vegetarian"

Posting in PETA's "Eat No Animal" shirt Paul McCartney describes the first time it hit him that animals value their lives just as much as humans do: "Many years ago,I was fishing, and I was reeling in the poor fish, I realized "I am killing him - all for the passing pleasure it brings me."And something inside me clicked. I realized as i saw him fight for breath, that his life is as important to him as mine is to me. "

19 of September of 2012

In loving memory of Dian Fossey

Dr. Dian Fossey's life was marked by many challenges and successes. Fossey, whom Rwandans knew as Nyiramachabelli -- "the woman who lives alone on the mountain" -- is remembered throughout the world for her heroic struggle to preserve, protect and study the mountain gorilla. As founder of the Digit Fund (later renamed the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International), her firm commitment to wildlife preservation, especially that of the mountain gorilla, resulted in a truly remarkable career that spanned two decades.

Early beginnings

In 1966, Fossey won support and
funding from the National Geographic Society and the Wilkie Brothers'
Foundation for a research program in the Congo (then Zaire). Due to intense
political upheaval and rebellion in Zaire, Fossey left and moved to Rwanda. In
1967, she founded the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda's Parc National des
Volcans, between two volcanoes: Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Visoke.

Advancing science and gorilla
conservation

For many years, Fossey conducted
research from her base camp in the mountains, located approximately 10,000 feet
above sea level. She struggled with fear of heights on steep slopes, and
battled disease, torrential rains, poachers, witchcraft and revolution.
However, her tireless efforts at gorilla habituation were rewarded when an
adult male gorilla, whom she had named Peanuts, touched her hand. This gesture
was the first recorded instance of peaceful gorilla-to-human contact.

Dian Fossey with Digit, her favorite
gorillaFossey's intense observations and study of the mountain gorillas over
thousands of hours brought new information to the scientific community. Her
commitment also earned Fossey the complete trust of the wild mountain gorillas
she studied. Even though she cared deeply for each gorilla, Fossey became
particularly attached to a young male gorilla she named Digit. In 1977, their
friendship came to a tragic halt when poachers attacked and killed the young
gorilla. Fossey reacted with fury and even greater commitment. Several major
publications, including National Geographic magazine, heeded her pleas for
justice by running in-depth, poignant feature articles. This coverage propelled
the plight of the mountain gorillas into the international limelight. It was
shortly after Digit's death that Fossey founded the Digit Fund to help raise
money to protect the gorillas.

Dian Fossey's legacy

In 1983, Fossey published Gorillas
in the Mist, an account of her life and work at Karisoke™. The book became an
international best seller. A movie based on the book was released in 1988. The
film, starring Sigourney Weaver as Dian Fossey, achieved great popular success
and helped attract public support for Fossey's work.

Fossey was killed in 1985 in her
cabin at Karisoke. The name of the Digit Fund was changed after her death to
the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. In subsequent years her legacy has
grown through the Fossey Fund's programs, which are dedicated to the
conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats in Africa.

For more information about Dian
Fossey's life, read a slightly more in-depth biography.

Dian Fossey's early interest in
animals and her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian led her to San Jose
State College. While in college she changed her major to occupational therapy;
however, her love for animals never faltered, and she was at the same time
becoming increasingly interested in Africa. In 1963, while on a six-week
sabbatical in Africa, Fossey met Dr. Louis Leakey, who spoke urgently about the
need for research on the great apes. Under the direction of Leakey, Fossey
agreed to undertake a long-term field study of the mountain gorillas.

Alec Baldwin - we have to love him

In a strong cooperation with PETA Alec Baldwin shows the
world the great human being he is by using his fame and power to report animal
abuses, sensitize people to this sad reality and tell them what to do by
actions.

Vegetarian and activist he is known by being the narrator
of the movie "Meet your
meat" where he exposes
the truth behind humanity's cruelest invention―the factory farm.

Alec Baldwin also hosted the
premier screening of "Blinders" —
the latest documentary to give viewers a critical inside look at the inner
dealings of the horse-drawn carriage industry.

"Despite the fact that many states
and cities have animal protection laws in place that prohibit abuse such as
beating animals with steel-tipped bull hooks, forcing crippled animals to work, or keeping animals in
chains, state and local laws often go unenforced, and
circuses like Ringlingcontinue their cruel
business as usual. But the USDA has the power to change that." by PETA

When Alec Baldwin recently got married PETA gifted him a
bull. In honor of this occasion PETA rescued an indian bull from a lifetime of
servitude.

NamedBaldwin Thomas he
lives now in peace with his rescued friends at the Peta-funded Animal Rahat's
Station near Sangli, India.